This content was provided by Shilpa Rosenberry, founder of Scouted and a regular contributor for The Local Moms Network. Scouted is a New Canaan, CT-based social network designed to cut through the clutter on grocery store shelves. Basically, Shilpa’s site and accompanying app can help you find products you and your family will love, fast!
School is back in session and moms everywhere are asking each other the same question: “What do you pack for school lunch?” If you google, you’ll find tons of Pinterest-y articles on what to make for school lunch. But if you’re one of the many moms who doesn’t have the time or the creativity for those Pinterest lunches or if your kids are just plain picky, what do you do? I put this out to our Scouted community and we received lots of ideas for store-bought grocery solutions for school lunch. Read on for some key trends and products!
Breakfast for Lunch
The concept of “All Day Breakfast” has been going strong in the food trends community and moms have taken notice. Some of the most popular items to pack: bagels with cream cheese, frozen muffins and yogurt parfaits. Here’s some recent picks from Scouted moms!
- Veggies Made Great Muffins
These are gluten-free, non-GMO muffins with vegetables as the first and primary ingredient! These frozen muffins come in a variety of flavors to suit picky eaters including Blueberry Oat, Apple Cinnamon, Cranberry Orange, Carrot Berry, Lemon Chia, Double Chocolate and Banana Chocolate Chip. Just pack the frozen muffin and it will thaw by lunchtime, without getting mushy or soggy.
- Fruitlove
These are new spoonable smoothie cups packed with fruits and veggies. There is a green spoon on the lid, making it easy to pack and go. There are five different flavors including Strawberry Banana Twirl, Blueberry Dream, Harvest Berry Blend, Pineapple Coconut Bliss and Mango Medley.
Lunch Components
I can’t tell you the number of moms who tell me that they have stopped putting sandwiches in lunch boxes because their kids don’t eat them. Is this you? Many moms today are opting for individual lunch components in a bento style box, such as high protein snack-ables, fresh fruit and veggies.
- Good & Gather Lunch Kits
These kits were just released by Target under the new Good & Gather brand and include sliced meat (i.e. uncured ham or smoked turkey), cheese, crackers and cookies or fruit snacks. The meat is raised with no antibiotics or hormones. You can easily cut up your own meat and cheese, but here the work is done for you. Many stores are now launching these kits under their store brands, demonstrating the high demand for this solution.
- Vital Farms Pasture-Raised Hard Boiled Eggs
These hard boiled eggs come in “Grab & Go 2-Packs”, easy to throw in the lunchbox. Pair with cut fruit, mini pita bread and your favorite dip. Some moms are even using them to make cobb salad wraps or over avocado toast.
- Siggi’s Low-Fat Yogurt Tubes
This Icelandic-style yogurt which is popular with adults now comes in convenient tubes making it easy for kids’ lunches as well. Each box comes with 8 tubes. Freeze first and they will be the perfect temperature by lunchtime. Pair with strawberries, cucumbers and a ham and cheddar roll up.
Back To School Treats
You can’t pack a school lunch without a little treat. Here are some of our subscribers’ favorites!
- Sun-Maid Sour Raisin Snacks
These are a healthier alternative to fruit snacks, made with no added sugar. They come in four flavors including Strawberry, Watermelon, Mixed Berry and Grape.
- Trader Joe’s Cheddar Rocket Crackers
These rocket shaped cheese crackers can be found on Trader Joe’s shelves every school year and are always a big hit for kids… and parents!
- Madegood Crispy Squares
These are crispy rice treats with the nutrients of a serving of vegetables in each square. They are organic, non-GMO and free from the 8 common allergens. They come in Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Strawberry and Caramel.
For more ideas from moms on school lunches, snacks, easy weeknight meals and more, check out scoutedfood.com. It’s FREE to subscribe. Add and review your favorite products and get the latest samples sent to your home monthly!
Originally posted on our parent site – The Local Moms Network